The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will begin without several players who have shaped African football in recent years, after Riyad Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, Aissa Mandi, Jean Michael Seri, Seko Fofana and Inaki Williams ended their international careers in 2026.
Their departures signal the start of a new era for Algeria, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, with emerging players expected to take on greater responsibility.
Mahrez and Mandi leave an Algeria side they helped establish among the continent’s leading teams. Mahrez won 119 caps and scored 40 goals for the Fennecs, playing a central role in their Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2019.
His most memorable contribution came in the semi-final against Nigeria, when he scored a late free-kick to send Algeria through to the final.
Mandi, who earned more than 110 caps, was also part of the team that won the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1990. In their absence, Algeria will look increasingly to Mohamed Amoura, Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri and Anis Hadj Moussa.
Senegal will also have to replace Mendy, the goalkeeper who was part of the squad that won the country’s first Africa Cup of Nations in 2021. He played a decisive role in the final against Egypt as Senegal claimed the trophy.
Cote d’Ivoire face the loss of two players from their 2023 title-winning side. Seri was an important figure in the balance of the Elephants’ midfield, while Fofana provided the assist for Cote d’Ivoire’s goal in their quarter-final against Mali.
The hosts went on to win the tournament, but their next qualifying campaign will begin without both midfielders.
Ghana, meanwhile, will be without Williams after the forward brought his international career to an end. He made 28 appearances for the Black Stars and represented them at two World Cups.
The retirements remove a significant amount of experience from four major African national teams and mark the beginning of a fresh cycle ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.